‘Play to extinction’

Weston Ware, of Texans Against Gambling, sent out the following in an e-newsletter, and I thought it worth sharing:

“Every feature of a slot machine – its mathematical structure, visual graphics, sound dynamics, seating and screen ergonomics – is calibrated to increase a gambler’s “time on device” and to encourage “play to extinction,” which is industry jargon for playing until all your money is gone.”

This observation by gambling researcher Natasha Schull, of MIT, sums up the findings of her most recent work, Machine Zone: Technology and Compulsion in Las Vegas, to be published in 2009. It’s a book based on compulsive gamblers and the engineers who design modern slot machines.

We are sharing this with you to underscore the importance of building citizen opposition to expanding gambling in Texas. Video gambling terminals (aka slot machines) will be at the core of any push in Texas.